Nanoparticles and Molecular Delivery System for Nutraceuticals Bioavailability

Abstract

This contribution discusses methods for transferring exogenous materials and drugs, particularly, into biological tissues. The focus is on matrices such as micelles, vesicles, and oil-based dispersions as well as carbon nanotubes. An ensemble of physical forces takes a fundamental role in drug dispersion and includes van der Waals (vdW), steric (ST), double layer, (DL), osmotic (OS), etc. Combination of these forces is responsible for drug uptake in matrices and for their release in tissues. Uptake of exogenous either macro- or small molecules into cargo particles and their transfer to recipient cells is the result of complex processes, concomitant to drug partition among supramolecular aggregates and the bulk. Similar conclusions apply to drug release, mostly as to the kinetic features are concerned; therefore, adsorption of nutraceuticals and release within target organs are particularly relevant. These complex features can be accounted for on thermodynamic grounds and expressed as the combination of different forces. In what follows some details on the energies to be considered are outlined. These include terms controlling the fate of transfectants. We will consider first the forces responsible for the formation of such supramolecular entities on physicochemical grounds and the drug uptake; finally, we will review the actual possibility of transfecting cargo-mediated aggregates of nanoparticle/drug complexes to cells or tissues of interest and their bioactivity upon release within the cell matrix.

Gianfranco Risuleo is on retirement.

Obituary: The chapters authored by C. La Mesa and G. Risuleo are dedicated to the memory of Adalberto Bonincontro, an outstanding collaborator but, mainly, a lifelong friend. Most of the work reviewed here would have not been possible without his continuous, active participation, and support. Many works co-authored by the three of us are to be found among the references.